Just got my SR 200 Grado

[jp11801]

All I can say is wow!! I can't beleive the build quality on these they have what appears to be real leather on the headband and the metal on the headband feels more substantial and shaped differently (does not appear be a user bend).
They sound really good but the pads are pretty beat so I have some coming in from Todd, I picked up the flats and bowls to try both. I think these came stock with flats so that is the one I want to try first.
Any thoughts from the folks with the 200s out there on what pads are better for these cans. BTW they are the transition drivers I've been told and but they sound significantly better to my ears than the sr80s. I am aware that this could be to several factors. They fact that these are 10 year old cans means the drivers have significant play on them as opposed to 6 month old grado's.
Anyone out there know what a transitional driver is or is it basically the driver one might find in the new 225?


Thanks and thanks to headfi for starting my quest for cans!!

 

[South_Korean]

theres a grado rs200 or did you make a weird typo?

 

[grandenigma1]

Yes there is a Grado SR200 and it would have either the SR225 drives or the HP1000 drives... sounds like you more then likely have the SR225 drives

 

[Oddball]

Hey congrats on your Grados...I have a pair that's like yours, except modified. It sounds like you don't have the HP1K drivers, but the transition drivers that aren't exactly like the SR225 drivers either. I find the SR200 to sound more neutral and less bassy than the Alessandros, if you want a reference. I've tried the SR200 briefly with bowls, but I've found that I prefer flats.

 

[jp11801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddball Hey congrats on your Grados...I have a pair that's like yours, except modified. It sounds like you don't have the HP1K drivers, but the transition drivers that aren't exactly like the SR225 drivers either. I find the SR200 to sound more neutral and less bassy than the Alessandros, if you want a reference. I've tried the SR200 briefly with bowls, but I've found that I prefer flats.

thanks, I ordered both as a convience but I think the flats will be the right move as that is what they were designed to use. THe beat old pads are flats. I felt as though they were more nuetral than the sr80s I had but I am really aware of the mental effect of wanting to like a new purchase.

 

[VR6ofpain]

All I can say is wow!! I can't beleive the build quality on these they have what appears to be real leather on the headband and the metal on the headband feels more substantial and shaped differently (does not appear be a user bend).QUOTE]

Ya that is cool...kinda sucks that the SR-225 doesnt have leather, since most people like them more than the SR-325 anyway.

Where did you score the 200's?

Why do people always call the SR (Prestige line) RS's??? Really annoying. [above it says "RS200"]

 

[jp11801]

scored them here off a first post member took a chance and it paid off, they look brand new except for the pads that are compressed and loose.

The headband feels entirely differnt then the new series, it doesn't press into my head nearly as bad, I have a shaved head so headbands can bother me after a while

 

[Jahn]

I've heard a pair of SR200's with the transitional Black drivers - compared to my SR200s with the HP1000 white drivers it was a bit unfair, but they held their own against the MS-2, but still having less bass and soundstage and highs - I think a better comparison would be against the MS-1, I'd love to compare those two cans back to back.

 

[Oddball]

I'll be comparing my transitional SR200 and MS-2i eventually.

Once I get my new source, that is. Or when I actually get a headphone amp. I also want to be more sure that the MS-2i has achieved full(er) burn-in.

I think the two cans are very very different and that they complement each other nicely. However, I've been getting the impression that the transitional SR200 loses a quick a/b test, but sounds better after a few minutes. Going directly from the MS-2i to the SR200 makes me think that the SR200 is a really muffled and compressed headphone, and causes me to wonder why I even bought the SR200. However, after my ears adjust to the sound, I really like them. A lot. They have an intimacy that can't be matched by the MS-2i. I just get moods for each headphone, and then I listen to them. As far as ergonomics, I agree that the SR200 is rather comfortable because of the better stock headband. Am I rambling or threadjacking? If I am, sorry.

I just think that there isn't enough information about the non-HP1K drivered Joe Grados. When I read SR200 reviews, I can't ever be sure which drivers they are. The more info, the merrier, so feel free to make a comparison to your SR80, jp11801.

[just as a quick btw, I haven't heard the stock SR200, but my pair have been given the Headphile treatment, woodified and recabled]

 

[jp11801]

I almost pulled the trigger on headphile pads but at $99 I couldn't do when I paid $200 for the cans. I hope to hear them someday and decide if they are worth it.
You nailed it the intamacy factor with the 200s are amazing. When I a/b to my ety4Ps they lose but after an hour of 200s going back to the etys I feel like they are colder ( I still love them).
I really don't believe in 30 second a/b or a/b/x as a valid test tool. Your mind tends to retain things and can't adjust and register deep differneces that long trails can yield (IMHO).
I really want to a week with these and a week with a well worn 225 to see if I see differnces.

 

[South_Korean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 Yes there is a Grado SR200 and it would have either the SR225 drives or the HP1000 drives... sounds like you more then likely have the SR225 drives

wow thats cool. are these rare?

 

[jp11801]

Sk they are as rare as any 10yo can would be

If you check the for sale forun regularly eventually you will come across a pair

 

[SNR]

any pics?

 

[Possede]

Pictures? Please?